Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been making headlines worldwide, with both excitement and concern from gamers and industry experts alike. The acquisition has faced regulatory hurdles in multiple countries, but there has been a recent development that could impact the deal. The clearance of the acquisition in another country is a significant milestone in the process, bringing the acquisition one step closer to completion. In this article, we will take a closer look at the latest news surrounding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and what it could mean for the future of the gaming industry.
The South Africa Competition Commission has given approval for Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The Commission stated that it did not anticipate any concerns regarding the possibility of exclusive distribution of Call of Duty on Xbox, should the $69 billion deal proceed. Additionally, the merging parties have agreed to continue supplying Call of Duty games to competing console manufacturers such as PlayStation and Switch. Furthermore, other countries including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Serbia, Chile, and Japan have also granted approval for the deal, while the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission are yet to rule on the matter. Microsoft’s proposed willingness to offer game licensing deals to competitors addresses anticipated EU antitrust concerns. However, in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission seeks to challenge the Activision Blizzard deal over antitrust considerations.
In concluding, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been cleared in another country, bringing the tech giant one step closer to completing one of the biggest gaming industry deals in history. As the regulatory process moves swiftly along, we will be keeping a close eye on the development of this acquisition as it has the potential to shift the balance of power in the gaming industry. With the synergy of Microsoft’s gaming technology and Activision Blizzard’s library of successful game franchises, gamers can expect exciting innovations and possibilities in the near future.
